University Of Pennsylvania

This study aims to find out which PTSD treatment works best for military veterans. It compares three approaches: a specific talk therapy (Prolonged Exposure), medication (paroxetine or venlafaxine), or a combination of both. The goal is to help doctors predict which treatment wil…

This study explores whether offering small financial incentives can help young adults with early psychosis stay engaged in their specialized care programs. Many patients stop attending these life-improving treatments, so researchers want to see if payments make participation more…

This is an early-phase safety study testing a new combination treatment for adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that has returned or not responded to standard therapies. The treatment involves a single infusion of genetically modified immune cells (CART123) given after a sho…

This early study is testing whether a small, implanted brain stimulator can help people who struggle with severe loss of control over eating. The device, similar to those used for epilepsy, is being tried in six people with severe obesity who have not been helped by surgery or ot…

This study is testing how a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, called TMS, affects a specific brain area linked to depression. Researchers will use MRI scans to see how this brain area responds during six weeks of daily TMS treatments. The goal is to better understand how …

This early-stage study is testing a new type of cell therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer that has stopped responding to standard hormone treatments. Doctors take a patient's own immune cells, genetically modify them in a lab to better target prostate cancer cells and re…

This study is testing if a heart failure medication might also help people with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Researchers want to see if the drug helps the body keep more of a natural hormone that lowers blood sugar after eating. The trial involves 25 adults and compares the e…

This study compares two types of cages used in a common, minimally invasive back surgery called DLIF. Researchers want to see if a newer titanium cage works as well as the standard plastic cage, which requires an added bone-growth protein. The goal is to find the best option to h…

This large study is testing whether using a special calculator to estimate a woman's risk of needing a cesarean section during labor can help doctors make better decisions. The goal is to see if using this tool leads to fewer unplanned C-sections and fewer serious health problems…

This early-stage trial is testing a new version of CAR-T cell therapy called huCART19-IL18 for adults with certain blood cancers that have returned or not responded to standard treatments. The study aims to find a safe dose and see if the therapy can be reliably manufactured. It …

This pilot study is testing whether providing vouchers for fruits and vegetables can help adults with chronic kidney disease who struggle to afford enough healthy food. Researchers will enroll 100 participants from Philadelphia and randomly assign half to receive bi-weekly grocer…

This early-stage study is testing the safety and feasibility of a new type of treatment called CAR-T cell therapy for children and young adults (ages 1-29) with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that has come back or not responded to standard chemotherapy. Doctors take a …

This study is testing whether a special exercise program can help reduce falls in older women who have frequent, strong urges to urinate that sometimes lead to leaks. The program combines balance and strength training with bladder control techniques and home safety checks. Resear…

This study is testing if giving people with both obesity and diabetes a monthly grocery subsidy for fruits and vegetables, along with support using an online delivery service, helps them buy and eat healthier foods. About 214 participants are assigned to different groups that rec…

This study tests if a 'big push' of community improvements and financial support can improve health in Black neighborhoods. Researchers are working with 720 adults in Philadelphia to clean up neighborhoods, plant trees, and provide financial counseling and cash assistance. The go…

This study is testing whether a game-like smartphone app can help people with high blood pressure and high cholesterol remember to take their medications. It involves 84 patients who have struggled with taking their pills regularly. The app uses points, levels, and support from a…

This study is testing a faster version of a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for people with severe depression that hasn't improved with standard medications. Researchers are giving the treatment over just 5 days instead of the usual 6 weeks to see if it works better and …

This study is testing a combination of two immunotherapy drugs given to patients before they have surgery to remove their HPV-negative head and neck cancer. The main goals are to see if the treatment is safe and to learn how it affects immune cells in the tumor. About 27 patients…

This is an early-stage study testing the safety and feasibility of a new type of personalized cell therapy for adults with a specific, aggressive form of recurrent brain cancer called glioblastoma. The therapy involves modifying a patient's own immune cells (T cells) to target tw…

This study is testing two simple methods to help primary care doctors refer more eligible patients to centralized pharmacy services for starting or adjusting cholesterol-lowering statin medications. It involves nearly 2,000 patients who are at high risk for heart disease but are …

This study is testing a program called 'Fast Track to Fertility' that uses automated text messages and educational videos to help people complete their initial fertility tests more quickly and easily. It involves 160 women who are starting fertility care at the University of Penn…

This study aims to find the best combination of body position and breathing machine settings for children with severe, life-threatening lung failure (called PARDS). It will test whether lying face down (prone) or using a special vibrating ventilator (HFOV) helps children spend mo…

This large study is testing whether electronic alerts in hospital computer systems can help connect more seriously ill patients with palliative care specialists. The alerts will prompt doctors to consider ordering a comfort care consultation for eligible patients. Researchers wil…

This early-stage study is testing the safety of a new type of personalized cell therapy for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia that has returned or hasn't responded to standard chemotherapy. Doctors collect a patient's own immune cells, genetically modify them to recognize …

This study is testing if a simple monthly message to primary care doctors, showing how their blood pressure control rates compare to their peers, leads to better patient care. The goal is to see if this 'nudge' encourages doctors to start or adjust medications more often for thei…

This study is testing if adding a targeted drug called belantamab mafodotin before and after a stem cell transplant helps people with multiple myeloma. The goal is to see if this combination is safe and more effective at keeping the cancer in check compared to past treatments. It…

This early-stage study is testing a new approach to treating HIV. Researchers collect a patient's own immune cells, genetically modify them to better target HIV, and then infuse them back into the body. The main goals are to check if this process is safe and to see if the modifie…

This large study is testing whether a simple electronic reminder in hospital computer systems can help doctors provide better end-of-life care for seriously ill patients. The reminder prompts doctors to either provide comfort care themselves or call a specialist team. Researchers…

This study is testing a drug called sirolimus for adults with a rare immune system disorder called idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) who have not gotten better with standard treatments. Participants will take sirolimus daily for a year to see if it reduces symptoms…

This study tests whether improving neighborhoods and providing financial support can improve health for Black children. Researchers are working in 60 Philadelphia neighborhoods, making physical improvements like cleaning up vacant lots and abandoned houses while also offering fin…

This study compares three team-based care models for adults with opioid addiction who also have depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Researchers want to see which combination of doctors, mental health managers, and recovery specialists works best in regular primary care clinics. The goa…

This study aims to find out which of two common oral medications works better for treating acne in women. It compares spironolactone, a hormone-based therapy, to doxycycline, an antibiotic. The goal is to see which one more effectively reduces acne lesions and improves quality of…

This study is for people with multiple myeloma that has come back or stopped responding to treatment. It tests if adding a new drug called cevostamab, given as an IV infusion every 3 weeks, after a standard CAR-T cell therapy can help keep the cancer in remission. The main goal i…

This study is testing a special type of PET scan to see if it can better find bone infections in people with serious diabetic foot ulcers. Researchers will compare the scan's results to MRI scans and patient outcomes to see if it's more accurate. The goal is to improve how doctor…

This study is testing a special type of PET scan to see if it can accurately tell whether pain after a joint replacement is caused by an infection or by the implant simply being loose. Researchers will scan about 530 patients with painful artificial joints and compare the scan re…

This study aims to find people with a genetic form of high cholesterol called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who may not know they have it. Researchers will use a computer tool to scan Penn Medicine patient records and identify those at high risk. They will then test differen…

This study aims to compare four advanced imaging techniques—MRI, digital mammography, ultrasound, and PET scans—to see which combination best maps out the extent of breast cancer before surgery. It involves 400 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer who are scheduled for sur…

This study is testing whether a quick nasal swab test in primary care clinics can help doctors better diagnose the cause of cold symptoms. The test gives results in 15 minutes, identifying if a virus or bacteria is present. Researchers hope this will help doctors prescribe antibi…

This study aims to see if a simple blood test can predict how well a broken bone will heal. Researchers will follow 110 adults who have recently broken a bone in their arm or leg. They will collect blood samples at specific times after the injury to check for RNA markers that mig…

This study tests whether changing how people connect in online social networks can improve attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and reduce health misinformation. Researchers are recruiting thousands of U.S. adults, focusing on African American communities, to see if less central…

This study tests whether virtual group education and support for couples experiencing infertility can lead to healthier pregnancies and babies. 140 couples from a fertility clinic will be randomly assigned to receive either this new group care program or standard individual care.…

This study aims to find the best ways to prevent car crashes among new teen drivers. It involves over 2,200 Pennsylvania teens who have learner's permits and very little driving experience. Researchers are testing different strategies to see which ones most effectively keep young…

This study aims to help primary care and reproductive health clinics better provide HIV prevention medication (PrEP) to women who inject drugs. Researchers will work with clinics, providers, and the women themselves to understand and overcome barriers to care. The goal is to desi…

This study is testing a new counseling program designed to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and mental illness. It will involve 200 adults in Malawi who are living with HIV and experiencing depression. The goal is to see if adding stigma-reduction counseling to standard depressi…

This study is testing a new type of adjustable prosthetic socket designed specifically for children who have lost a limb. The goal is to create a comfortable, well-fitting prosthetic that can be adjusted as a child grows, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Researchers a…

This study is testing a digital program designed to support the mental health and job satisfaction of doctors. It involves 293 physicians from Penn Medicine who will receive text messages, resource support, and access to peer groups. The goal is to see if this approach reduces de…

This study is testing a special support program called ENCODE, designed to help family caregivers of hospice patients with dementia. Caregivers are randomly assigned to receive either friendly video calls for social support or the ENCODE program, which teaches skills to manage st…

This study is testing if sending specially prepared meals to the homes of people recently hospitalized for heart failure is a practical and helpful part of their recovery. Researchers will enroll about 85 patients to receive 4 or 8 weeks of delivered meals and ask them about thei…

This study is testing whether taking CoQ10, an over-the-counter supplement, can help reduce the severe fatigue often experienced by people with Crohn's disease. It will enroll 60 participants, including people with Crohn's and healthy volunteers, to compare two different doses ta…

This study is testing whether a 12-week program of simple, low-resistance exercises done at home is safe and can help improve daily life and physical ability for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious lung condition. Researchers are enrolling 20 adults with …

This study is testing a virtual group program designed to help US adults work together on personal wellbeing goals, build social connections, get more involved in their communities, and reduce feelings of anxiety. About 200 participants will be randomly assigned to either join fa…

This study is testing whether a simple relaxation program can help pregnant women who have trouble falling or staying asleep. Researchers will enroll 20 pregnant participants who report insomnia. They will use a sleep diary and questionnaires to see if the relaxation practice imp…

This study aimed to see if adding game-like challenges to a patient's daily step goals could help them be more active while in the hospital. It planned to use wearable devices and text messages with older adults who had heart or metabolic conditions. The goal was to see if more w…

This study tests if a personalized home exercise program, guided by a smartwatch in the weeks before knee or hip replacement surgery, can help prevent post-surgery confusion (delirium) and improve recovery. Researchers are comparing this 'prehabilitation' approach to standard pre…

This study aims to understand if taking a ketone supplement changes how people feel and physically respond to alcohol. Ten healthy volunteers will drink alcohol on two separate lab visits, once after a ketone drink and once after a placebo drink. Researchers will measure breath a…

This study aims to better understand the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly the risk of developing epilepsy afterward. Researchers are extending the follow-up of 300 people who were previously enrolled in a brain injury study to track their recovery a…

This study aims to see if an artificial intelligence (AI) system can give safe and appropriate treatment advice for serious ICU conditions like sepsis and ARDS. It involves 350 critical care doctors and nurses reviewing simulated patient cases and judging the treatment plans. The…

This study aims to better understand a condition called 'non-dipping hypertension,' where a person's blood pressure doesn't drop at night as it normally should. Researchers are enrolling 150 adults with high blood pressure to track their daily patterns using wearable devices and …

This study aimed to better understand how a surgically implanted nerve stimulator for sleep apnea affects airway blockage. Researchers planned to take measurements in adults who already had the device while they were under light sedation. The goal was to gather information to pot…

This study aims to understand if opioid use disorder, especially after a non-fatal overdose, is linked to changes in tau protein in the brain—a protein often associated with other brain diseases. Researchers will compare brain scans from three small groups: people with opioid use…

This study aims to understand how daily patterns of air pollution interact with the body's natural 24-hour clock to affect asthma symptoms. Researchers are measuring air quality and collecting samples from 20 adults with severe asthma over 48 hours to look for biological connecti…

This study aims to learn how SGLT2 inhibitor medications, which are already FDA-approved for heart failure, affect the body. Researchers will observe 40 patients with symptomatic heart failure who are starting this medication. They will measure changes in blood chemistry, walking…

This research aims to understand how spending 12 months in space affects astronauts' brains and cognitive abilities. Scientists will compare brain scans and thinking tests from astronauts on year-long missions to those on shorter 2-month and 6-month missions. The study focuses on…

This study aims to better track and understand antibiotic-resistant infections that spread in hospitals. Researchers will monitor 1500 hospital patients in Botswana to identify patterns of these dangerous infections. The goal is to build better systems for early detection and pre…

This study is testing a new research PET scanner called the PennPET Explorer. The goal is to see how well this scanner works, as it can image a much larger section of the body at one time than standard scanners. The study involves adults, including some with cognitive impairment,…

This study is testing a new, more powerful type of MRI scanner to see if it can take clearer pictures of the heart. Researchers want to learn if these detailed images can help doctors better understand and diagnose heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy). The study is not testing a…

This study aims to understand how opioid receptors work in the brain and body by using special scans. It will enroll up to 60 adults, including healthy people and those with opioid use disorder, some of whom are on treatment. The main goal is to gather knowledge, not to test a ne…

This study aims to understand how antibiotic-resistant germs are passed from mothers to their newborn babies and how long they last in the family. Researchers will follow 1000 mothers and their infants in Botswana, collecting samples during birth and throughout the baby's first y…

This study is testing whether a new payment model that encourages better care coordination improves health outcomes and reduces costs for cancer patients in Hawaii. It involves 7 participants with breast, colon, or lung cancer who receive chemotherapy through specific Hawaii prov…

This study is looking back at data from a program that provided education and support to caregivers of people with dementia. Researchers will review past records and conduct follow-up interviews with about 350 caregivers to see if the program helped them feel less burdened and im…

This study aims to understand how common Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is in lymphoma patients in Botswana, comparing those with and without HIV. Researchers will analyze 100 archived lymph node biopsy samples collected between 2012 and 2017. The goal is to gather knowledge about the …

This study aims to understand why young women with migraines might have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers are comparing how the bodies of women with and without migraines react to a high-fat meal, looking at inflammation, blood vessel function, and stress responses. The…

This study is testing whether a new augmented reality tool helps doctors place a type of IV line called a PICC more safely and efficiently. Doctors wear special smart glasses that project a virtual ruler, helping them measure and trim the catheter to the correct length before ins…

This study is testing a new type of PET scan that uses a special tracer to take pictures of breast cancer. The goal is to see if the scan can measure a specific protein activity inside tumors, which might help doctors understand the cancer better. Up to 50 adults with known or su…

This study is testing whether special PET scans can predict how well hormone therapy will work for breast cancer that has spread to the bones. Researchers will scan 75 patients before treatment and again at 4 and 12 weeks after starting new therapy. They will compare the scan res…

This study aims to understand how a common antibiotic (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) affects the community of bacteria and fungi in the nose of people with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a rare autoimmune disease. Researchers will follow about 30 adult patients with GPA…

This small, early-stage study aims to understand if the daily rhythm of certain fats in the blood is different in people with night eating syndrome compared to healthy people. Researchers will collect blood and other samples from 12 participants over a few days in a controlled en…

This study aims to understand how the intensive care unit (ICU) environment disrupts patients' natural sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythms) after heart surgery. Researchers will monitor 15 adult patients' sleep patterns, cognitive function, and how often they're visited by staff…

This study follows young women receiving chemotherapy for cancer to understand how treatment affects their fertility over time. Researchers measure hormone levels and track ovarian health before, during, and after cancer treatment. The goal is to gather information that could hel…

This study aims to understand how alcohol use disorder affects inflammation in the brain and body. Researchers will use special PET/CT scans on a small group of people with the disorder and healthy volunteers to compare the results. The goal is to gather knowledge, not to test a …

This study aims to understand how the immune system responds in people with chronic Hepatitis B infection. Researchers will examine blood samples from 201 adults already enrolled in a larger Hepatitis B study to measure different immune system components. The goal is to learn how…

This study aims to understand the link between people's intentions to get a flu shot and whether they actually get vaccinated. Researchers are observing 350 users of a specific health app to see if their plans match their actions. The goal is to learn more about health decision-m…

This study uses special brain scans to look for early signs of Alzheimer's disease in older African American adults who are currently thinking clearly. Researchers want to understand the difference between normal aging and the very early stages of Alzheimer's. Participants get de…

This study aims to understand why night shift workers have higher risks for diseases like diabetes and heart problems by looking at their gut bacteria. Researchers will compare 12 healthy male night shift workers with daytime workers, tracking their daily rhythms, diet, sleep, an…

This study aims to understand the challenges of implementing a program to safely remove penicillin allergy labels for hospitalized cancer patients. Researchers will interview patients and doctors and observe hospital workflows to identify what makes the program easy or hard to us…

This study looks at whether a new payment system called 'bundled payments' improves the quality of care while reducing costs. Researchers are analyzing Medicare data from 440 healthcare providers treating conditions like joint replacements, pneumonia, and COPD. The goal is to see…

This study uses specialized brain scans to understand how a protein called tau relates to memory problems in older adults. Researchers will scan 150 people, some with normal memory and some with mild cognitive impairment, to see how tau buildup connects to brain structure changes…

This study aims to understand how the brain combines what we see (like lip movements) and what we hear (a person's voice) to understand speech. Researchers will record brain activity from 100 people who are already scheduled for brain surgery for a medical condition. They will us…

This early-stage study is testing a new radioactive tracer used for PET/CT brain scans. Researchers are giving the tracer to healthy volunteers to see where it travels in the body, how it's broken down, and how it's removed. The goal is to gather basic safety information and see …

This study aims to find the best way to protect young women in South Africa from false information about a future HIV vaccine. Researchers are testing special educational messages designed to 'inoculate' over 2,100 participants against common myths. The goal is to see if these me…

This study aims to understand how our body's natural daily rhythms, known as the 'chronobiome,' differ between healthy men and women, and between younger and older adults. Researchers will monitor 48 healthy participants over time, tracking things like blood pressure and activity…

This study is testing a new type of PET/CT scan to see if it can show how breast cancer tumors respond to a combination of two drugs. Researchers want to see if changes on the scan early in treatment can predict how well the patient will do later. The study involves about 20 peop…

This study uses a special brain scan (PET/CT) to measure inflammation in the brains of four groups of people: those with HIV, those with opioid use disorder, those with both conditions, and healthy individuals. The goal is to understand how these conditions, alone or combined, af…

This small study aims to understand if people with a specific genetic variation that lowers a certain enzyme (DPP4) respond differently to the diabetes drug sitagliptin. Twenty participants, half with the gene variant and half without, will take the drug and a placebo for short p…

This study aims to understand how different anti-inflammatory drugs, including some new experimental ones, affect a wide range of fat-based chemicals in human blood. Researchers will take blood from 30 healthy volunteers and test the drugs in a lab setting, not inside the body. T…

This long-running study is observing over 5,000 people with reduced kidney function to understand why kidney disease often gets worse and why it so frequently leads to serious heart problems. Researchers are collecting health data, blood, and urine samples over many years to iden…

This study aims to understand how the brain changes when smokers quit and how quickly a person's body breaks down nicotine affects those changes. Researchers will use brain scans on a small group of adult smokers after different periods of not smoking. The goal is to gather basic…

This study uses a special brain scan to measure a protein called tau in older adults with normal memory and those with mild memory problems. Researchers want to see how tau relates to brain structure and function. The goal is to better understand the difference between normal agi…

This study aims to understand why our internal daily rhythms change as we age. Researchers will collect blood from healthy young and older adults to see how it affects clock-like patterns in lab-grown cells. They hope to find specific genes that could restore a youthful rhythm, w…

This study is testing whether an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can help research staff find patients who are eligible for a specific prostate cancer treatment trial. The AI scans patient health records and suggests who might qualify. Researchers will compare how well and how …

This study is testing whether personalized educational videos can help people who had a stroke 1-10 years ago better understand their condition. Researchers are comparing the video approach to standard education to see if it improves knowledge about stroke causes, risk factors, a…

This study aims to understand how immune cells differ in the lymphatic system of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) compared to healthy people. Researchers will collect lymph fluid from a small group of participants using a minimally invasive tube. They will also check if a stan…

This study aims to understand if disruptions to the body's natural daily rhythms (circadian clock) help explain why people with HIV often develop other health problems like heart disease or diabetes. Researchers will track 80 men's daily patterns—including sleep, activity, light …

This study aims to understand how the body's immune system changes when people with chronic hepatitis B receive treatment. Researchers will observe 40 adults already enrolled in other hepatitis B treatment trials. By measuring immune cells and signals in blood samples, they hope …

This study is exploring whether contact with pets can help protect people's gut health after taking antibiotics. Researchers are testing if sharing healthy gut bacteria with pets can prevent a serious infection called C. difficile. They are following 200 adults getting dental imp…

This study aims to learn why a new, non-surgical freezing treatment for obstructive sleep apnea works well for some people but not others. Researchers will use MRI and ultrasound scans on 10 patients before and after they receive the treatment to look for patterns. The goal is to…

This study is testing whether a new imaging tracer called [18F]ISO-1 can help doctors see specific features inside breast cancer cells using PET/CT scans. Researchers will scan 30 adults with breast cancer to see if the imaging results match what's found in tissue samples. The go…